Best Data Recovery Software for Lost NAS Infortrend EonStor GS 4012: Essential Guide

Contents

• Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID
• Key Information About the NAS Infortrend EonStor GS 4012
• How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC
  • Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery
  • How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images
  • Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?
  • RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison

Why Regular Data Recovery Tools Can’t Restore Files from RAID

Conventional hard drives store user data by writing it sequentially across the disk surface, which means an entire file is typically located on a single drive. In contrast, when data is written to a RAID array, each file is split into multiple fragments. These fragments are then distributed and written in sequence across all the drives in the array. Depending on the configuration, fragment sizes can range from 2 KB to 2 MB, so every file is physically stored across several disks at once.

This approach significantly increases read and write performance — after all, writing two halves of a 1 GB file to two drives simultaneously is much faster than writing the full 1 GB to a single disk. However, this same mechanism makes file recovery far more complex.

Different RAID levels use different methods to distribute and protect data. On top of that, manufacturers like Infortrend often add their own proprietary structures and variations. As a result, data can be written to disks in many different formats, and each requires a specific approach during recovery.

How can the number of drives in a NAS Infortrend EonStor GS 4012 device's RAID array impact data recovery and potential loss?

The number of drives in a NAS Infortrend EonStor GS 4012 device's RAID array can impact data recovery and potential loss in the following ways:

1. RAID Level: The number of drives determines the RAID level that can be implemented. Different RAID levels offer varying degrees of data redundancy and performance. For example, RAID 1 and RAID 10 provide mirroring, which means data is duplicated on multiple drives, increasing data redundancy and reducing the risk of data loss. On the other hand, RAID 5 and RAID 6 offer distributed parity, which allows data recovery even if one or two drives fail, respectively. Therefore, the choice of RAID level based on the number of drives affects the potential for data recovery and loss.
2. Fault Tolerance: The number of drives in a RAID array affects its fault tolerance. With more drives, the RAID array can withstand the failure of multiple drives simultaneously without losing data. For example, in a RAID 6 configuration, two drives can fail without data loss. However, if the number of drives is insufficient to support the desired level of fault tolerance, the failure of a single drive could result in data loss until the failed drive is replaced and the array is rebuilt.
3. Rebuilding Time: In the event of a drive failure, the RAID array needs to be rebuilt by redistributing data across the remaining drives. The time required for this process depends on the number of drives in the array. With more drives, the rebuild process can take longer. During this time, the array is vulnerable to further drive failures, which can lead to data loss. Therefore, a larger number of drives in the array increases the potential for data loss during the rebuilding process.
4. Performance Impact: The number of drives also affects the performance of the RAID array. More drives in the array generally result in improved read and write speeds. However, if the number of drives is too high, the performance gains may diminish due to increased latency and contention for system resources. Therefore, finding the right balance between performance and fault tolerance is crucial to minimize the risk of data loss.

In summary, the number of drives in a NAS Infortrend EonStor GS 4012 device's RAID array impacts data recovery and potential loss by influencing the choice of RAID level, fault tolerance, rebuilding time, and overall performance. It is essential to carefully consider these factors when configuring the RAID array to minimize the risk of data loss and maximize data recovery options.

How to Remove Hard Disks from Your NAS and Connect Them to a PC

Although the NAS EonStor GS 4012 can be accessed over the network, you still need to remove its hard disks and connect them directly to a Windows PC. Only then can the recovery software properly scan and analyze the drives. Follow these steps:

1. Power off the NAS and disconnect it from the power source.

   WARNING! Before removing any drives, carefully read the device manual. Improper actions may damage both the NAS enclosure and the hard disks in the RAID array.

2. Remove the hard disks one by one, gently sliding each drive out of its slot. Remember that hard disks are highly sensitive: any impact or drop can cause serious physical damage.

3. Label each hard disk according to its position inside the NAS. The order of the drives is crucial for correct RAID reconstruction.

4. Connect the drives to your computer. In this video, we explain which ports you can use to connect hard disks and what to do if your PC does not have enough free connectors.

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   How to Order Remote Data Recovery

Step-by-Step Data Recovery with Hetman RAID Recovery

This program restores data from damaged RAID arrays and is fully compatible with Infortrend EonStor GS 4012. Each hard disk in the array contains technical metadata describing how files were written. When launched, Hetman RAID Recovery analyzes this metadata, automatically reconstructs the damaged array, and provides access to its contents. After that, you can browse the recovered disk and save your files. The program can also restore files that were accidentally deleted from the network drive.

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How to recover data from a Infortrend

EonStor GS 4012 has 12 HDD slots, and it supports the following array types:

• RAID 0;
• RAID 1;
• RAID 5;
• RAID 6;
• RAID 50;
• RAID 60;
• JBOD;

NAS supports:

• exFAT, VFAT, FAT 12 / 16 / 32;
• NTFS / ReFS;
• APFS / HFS+;
• Ext2 / 3 / 4 / ReiserFS / XFS / UFS / ZFS / Btrfs;
• VMFS / HikvisionFS;

How to Safely Recover Data from Disk Images

This utility allows you to create a complete copy of a disk and work with the disk image instead of the physical drive. This approach helps protect your data from:

• Overwriting during the recovery process;
• Additional data loss caused by bad sectors;
• User errors.

To create a disk image, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have enough free space to store the image. Its size will typically match the size of the original disk.

2. In the main window, select the target disk and choose Tools - Save Disk. You can also select multiple disks if needed.

3. When the Image Creation Wizard opens, select whether you want to save the entire disk or only a specific region. Adjust the settings and click Next.

   

4. Choose the directory where the image will be saved. You may select any available disk connected to your PC or upload the image via FTP.

   

Where Are the User’s Files Actually Stored?

The Infortrend EonStor GS 4012 network-attached storage keeps OS Linux operating system files on a separate RAID 1 (mirrored) array. Usually, all NAS systems create several volumes on every hard disk, and the first of them takes up to 2 Gb of space. This is where operating system files are stored. Other volumes are united into a RAID array where user’s data is written.

RAID Recovery Software: Detailed Comparison